Unitary flocked cosmetics applicator

ABSTRACT

A cosmetics applicator includes a molded plastic cap having a top and a sidewall with a generally cylindrical interior surface, with threads defined thereon, adapting the cap for removable engagement on a bottle containing cosmetics. A molded plastic applicator rod is formed integrally with the cap and extends from the top of the cap coaxially through the cylindrical sidewall. A molded plastic applicator tip is formed integrally with the applicator rod at a distal end thereof spaced apart from the cap, the applicator tip having a surface shaped for application of cosmetics. Flocking is applied to the surface of the applicator tip. The applicator rod is preferably cylindrical, and the outer surface of the applicator tip is recessed with respect to the applicator rod with the flocking, with the flocking applied to a depth equal to or greater than recess.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to our Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/475,325 filed Jun. 3, 2003.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The invention herein relates to a unitary flocked applicator for cosmetics, characterized by ease of assembly and low cost.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Some cosmetics, such as lip gloss and others, are best applied with a flocked applicator tip. The flocked applicator tip is fabricated of a plastic material, and has a flocked applicator tip surface and an unflocked stem. The stem is inserted in an axial opening at the distal end of an applicator rod. The applicator rod extends from a cap, which is threaded for removable closure of a bottle containing the cosmetics. When the cap is on the bottle, the flocked applicator tip and applicator rod extend through the neck of the bottle into the interior of the bottle, where the applicator is loaded with cosmetics. A wiper is typically mounted in the threaded neck of the bottle, for removing excess cosmetics from the applicator rod and flocked applicator tip as the rod and tip are removed.

The applicator rod is generally a molded plastic form, including the axial opening at the distal end. The applicator tip is also molded of a plastic material. Adhesive is applied to the applicator tip, except for the stem, and flocking is adhered to the adhesive in order to form the flocked applicator tip surface. Care must be taken not to apply adhesive to the stem, so that flocking does not adhere to the stem.

The stem is then inserted and secured in the axial opening at the distal end of the rod. The stem may be secured by staking, adhesive, sonic welding, or other suitable technique. Care must be taken not to damage the flocked applicator tip surface when securing the applicator tip to the applicator rod.

The foregoing provides a satisfactory flocked cosmetics applicator, but requires considerable time and labor expense to assemble. Some rejects also occur as a result of the assembly process, further raising the expense of the flocked cosmetics applicator. If the attachment of the applicator tip to the applicator rod is not secure, the tip may separate from the rod.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the principal object of the invention herein to provide a flocked cosmetics applicator.

It is another object of the invention herein to provide a flocked cosmetics applicator which does not require assembly of an applicator tip to an applicator rod.

It is a further object of the invention herein to provide a flocked cosmetics applicator that is inexpensive to manufacture.

According to the invention herein, a cosmetics applicator comprises a molded plastic cap having a top and a sidewall with threads defined on a generally cylindrical interior surface, thereby adapting the cap for removable engagement on a bottle containing cosmetics. A molded plastic applicator rod is formed integrally with the cap and extends from the top of the cap coaxially through the cylindrical sidewall. A molded plastic applicator tip is formed integrally with the applicator rod at a distal end thereof, spaced apart from the cap, the applicator tip having a surface shaped for the application of cosmetics. Flocking is applied to the surface of the applicator tip.

According to further aspects of the invention, the surface of the applicator tip is recessed with respect to the surface of the applicator rod, and the flocking has a thickness equal to or greater than the depth of the recess. The applicator rod may have a cylindrical outer surface of radius R, and the applicator tip surface may also be cylindrical and coaxial with the surface of the applicator rod, but having a radius which is smaller by a dimension Δ R. The flocking is applied to the applicator tip surface to a depth of at least Δ R.

The distal end of the applicator tip may be beveled or provided with another shape adapted to apply cosmetics.

According to still further aspects of the invention, the cosmetics applicator is integrally molded of a polyolefin. The polyolefin preferably comprises polyethylene but may also comprise polypropylene.

According to yet other aspects of the invention, the applicator tip surface is textured to facilitate application of flocking. The flocking is secured to the applicator tip surface by an adhesive.

Also according to the invention herein, a cosmetics applicator is fabricated in the steps of molding a unitary plastic cap, plastic applicator rod and applicator tip, the applicator tip having a surface shaped for application of cosmetics, applying adhesive to the surface of the applicator tip, and thereafter applying flocking to the surface of the applicator tip while the adhesive is active.

The foregoing and other objects and features of the invention herein will in part be recognized by those skilled in the art and will in part appear from the following description of the preferred embodiment and the claims, taken together with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a unitary flocked cosmetics applicator according to the invention herein, shown in association with a bottle;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the unitary flocked cosmetics applicator of FIG. 1, taken along the lines 2-2 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view of the applicator tip and the adjacent applicator rod portion of the unitary flocked cosmetics applicator of FIG. 1, rotated and shown without flocking.

The same reference numerals refer to the same elements throughout the various figures.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 illustrates a cosmetics applicator 10 according to the invention herein, shown in association with a bottle 12 containing cosmetics, not shown, to be applied by the cosmetics applicator 10. The cosmetics applicator 10 generally comprises a cap 14, an applicator rod 16, and an applicator tip 20 having flocking 22 on the surface thereof. The cosmetics applicator 10 is characterized by the cap, applicator rod 14 and applicator tip 20 being integrally molded of a plastic material.

The cap 14 has a sidewall 24 with a generally cylindrical interior surface, which defines threads 26 on the interior thereof. The outer surface of sidewall 24 may also be generally cylindrical, but may have other shapes for decorative purposes. The cap 14 has a closed top 28 spanning the cylindrical sidewall 24. A decorative metal shell can be provided over the exterior of the molded plastic cap, if desired.

The applicator rod 16 extends from the top 28 through the cap 14, and is generally coaxial with the sidewall 24 of the cap 14. The applicator rod 16 is unitary and integral with the cap 14. It is preferably cylindrical.

As best seen in FIG. 3, the applicator tip 20 is unitary and integral with the applicator rod 16 at the distal end 18 or thereof. In the preferred embodiment shown, the applicator rod 16 has a radius R, and the applicator tip 20 has a radius R′ which is smaller than the radius R′ of the applicator rod by a dimension A R (i.e., R−R′=Δ R). With reference to FIG. 2, the flocking 22 is applied to the surface of the applicator tip 20, to a depth of Δ R or greater.

The applicator tip 20 is provided with a beveled end 30, wherein the applicator tip 20 is shaped for applying cosmetics. Other shapes may also be utilized, as is well known in the art. For instance, by way of example and not limitation, the end 30 may be rounded, and the applicator tip 20 may have an oval or flattened cross-sectional shape.

The cap 14 applicator rod and applicator tip are integrally molded as a unitary piece. They are preferably molded of polyethylene, but may be molded of another polyolefin including polypropylene, as well as other plastic materials or a mixture of plastic materials.

The applicator tip 20 is flocked by first applying adhesive to the surface of applicator tip 20, and then introducing flocking 22 to the adhesive. The flocking 22 may be nylon, rayon, polyester, cotton or other suitable material. The adhesive may be an epoxy, polyurethane, latex or another suitable adhesive. The surface of the applicator tip 20 is preferably textured, as indicated at 32 of FIG. 3, to better receive and retain the adhesive. The flocking 22 may be introduced to the adhesive by means of blowing the flocking or electrostatically attracting the flocking, as is well known in the art of flocking.

In the embodiment shown, the diameter of the applicator rod 16 is 0.175 inches and the diameter of the applicator tip 20 is 0.135 inches. The applicator rod 16 extends approximately one inch from the cap 14, and the applicator tip 20 has a length of approximately 0.40 inches. The flocking 22 is applied to a depth of 0.030 to 0.050 inches, but may be applied to a depth of 0.080 inches or greater. The difference Δ R between the radius R of the applicator rod 16 and the radius R′ of the applicator tip 20 is selected in conjunction with the depth of the flocking to work with a wiper, as more fully discussed below.

The cosmetics applicator 10 is used with the bottle 12. The bottle 12 has a neck 40 having threads 42 thereon complementary with the threads 26 of the cap, so that the cap 14 may be removably secured to the neck 40 of the bottle 12. The bottle 12 has a body 44 which is of sufficient length to accommodate the applicator rod 16 and applicator tip 20 when the applicator 10 is secured on the bottle 12. Cosmetics are contained within the body 44, where they are transferred to the flocking 22 of the applicator tip 20.

A wiper 46 is mounted in the neck 40 of the bottle 12, and the applicator tip 20 and the applicator rod 16 are inserted through the wiper 46 as the applicator 10 is mounted on the bottle 12. When the applicator rod 16 and flocked applicator tip are withdrawn, the wiper 46 removes excess cosmetics, as is well known in the art.

It will be appreciated that the cosmetics applicator 10, being molded of an integral, unitary plastic assembly after which the applicator tip 20 is flocked, reduces assembly time and cost and provides a high quality, consistent cosmetics applicator. Accordingly, a cosmetics applicator that admirably fulfills the objects of the invention herein has been described. It will be appreciated that various changes may be made from the embodiment described, which is intended to be illustrative only, without parting from the spirit and scope of the invention, which is limited only by the following claims. 

1. A cosmetics applicator comprising: A) a molded plastic cap having a top and a sidewall with a generally cylindrical interior surface, having threads defined thereon, adapting the cap for removable engagement on a bottle containing cosmetics; B) a molded plastic applicator rod formed integrally with the cap and extending from the top of the cap coaxially through the cylindrical sidewall; C) a molded plastic applicator tip formed integrally with the applicator rod at a distal end thereof spaced apart from the cap, the applicator tip having a surface shaped for application of cosmetics; and D) flocking applied to the surface of the applicator tip.
 2. A cosmetics applicator as defined in claim 1 wherein the applicator rod is cylindrical, and the surface of the applicator tip is recessed with respect to the applicator rod.
 3. A cosmetics applicator as defined in claim 1 wherein the outer surface of the applicator rod is cylindrical, the outer surface of the applicator tip adjacent to the applicator rod is also cylindrical and has a smaller radius than the radius of the applicator rod, and the flocking is applied to a depth equal to or greater than the difference between the radii of the applicator rod and tip.
 4. A cosmetics applicator as defined in claim 1 wherein the applicator tip has a beveled end.
 5. A cosmetics applicator as defined in claim 1 wherein the plastic from which the plastic cap, plastic applicator rod and plastic applicator tip are integrally molded comprises a polyolefin.
 6. A cosmetics applicator as defined in claim 5 wherein the polyolefin comprises polyethylene.
 7. A cosmetics applicator as defined in claim 5 wherein the polyolefin comprises polypropylene.
 8. A cosmetics container as defined in claim 1 wherein the surface of the applicator tip is textured to facilitate the application of flocking thereto.
 9. A method of fabricating a cosmetics applicator comprising the steps of: A) integrally molding a cap, applicator rod and applicator tip from a plastic material; B) applying adhesive to the surface of the applicator tip; and C) thereafter applying flocking to the applicator tip, wherein the flocking is secured to the applicator tip. 